Voters reject Lake Ridge school questions

Calumet Township voters rejected two school referendums on Tuesday that would have raised $66 million for Lake Ridge New Tech Schools.

Lake Ridge Schools had asked voters for a $44.3 million capital referendum for building repairs and upgrades, while a second $22.4 million ballot question would pay for transportation, programs and staff.

The defeat could lead to the closure of an elementary school, layoffs and eliminating nearly all school bus routes, officials said prior to Tuesday’s vote.

Unofficial totals show both lost by roughly a 3-2 margin.

"I wish to thank so many in our community who worked tirelessly in support of the referendum. Those of you who knocked on doors, made phone calls, and kept us going with your support, please know how much you are valued," Superintendent Sharon Johnson-Shirley said in a statement.

"Needless to say, I am very disappointed in the results of the referendum for Lake Ridge New Tech Schools, but the community has spoken,” she said. “The Board and I will continue to work in support of our students, staff, and families of the Lake Ridge New Tech Schools."

With about 1,800 students, Lake Ridge is the latest Northwest Indiana school district to ask voters for a tax hike. Officials said it is expected to lose between $2.8 million and $3 million when property tax caps go into full effect in Lake County in 2020.

Lake Ridge has four schools: Hosford Park and Longfellow elementaries, a middle school and high school.

“It’s disappointing,” School Board President Glenn Johnson said. “It’s unfortunate that the way the state set up the system, this is the only way we can raise the funds we need to get things done.”

Hosford Park Elementary School could potentially be closed, he said. Those students would move to Longfellow, with fifth-graders shifted to the middle school.

In Lake County, another referendum to expand Lincoln Center that was also rejected by Highland voters.

On Tuesday, several Calumet Township voters said they didn’t want higher taxes and were concerned about its impact on the elderly.

“Everything they do, they put on (locals),” Zina Litt, 53, said.

Ron Blankenship, 49, a sales rep, said with his children now in their 20s or older, there’s less to gain from a property tax increase. He noted the unincorporated community lacked sidewalks.

“The amount I’m paying, I could live in Schererville, St. John,” he said.

Amanda Hubbard, 40, and Martin Gaskey, 34, said they supported the referendum. They just bought a house and are raising two children who go to Lake Ridge.

“You don’t want to have a place where you don’t have schools,” he said.

About 40 students were out across polling stations in Calumet Township on Tuesday handing out YES cards, Athletic Director Sara Kuntarich said. They volunteered and received class credits for their time. They were stationed across from volunteers handing out NO cards outside.

“Our schools can be taken away just like that. It’s kinda scary to me,” said senior Chandler Bittke, 17, wrapped up on a chilly day in a red and white Calumet Warriors blanket in the high school parking lot.

He is the third generation of his family to attend Calumet High School and wanted to maintain services for his younger sisters, both freshman, he said